Self-Propelled Watercraft

ABSTRACT

Various embodiments are disclosed herein that relate to recreational self-propelled watercraft. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a self-propelled watercraft including a hull, a deck comprising a first seat receiver configured to support a seat at a higher position and a second seat receiver configured to support the seat at a lower position, and a seat securing mechanism configured to be operable by a user to selectively secure the seat to the deck.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/074,891, titled SELF-PROPELLED WATERCRAFT, filed on Mar. 29, 2011,the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Recreational self-propelled watercraft, such as kayaks, are used formany different activities, such as touring, camping, fishing, and riverrunning. As such, kayaks may have various design features configured toenhance various activity-specific performance characteristics. Forexample, a whitewater kayak may have a hull designed to enhancemaneuverability, whereas a fishing kayak may have a hull configured toenhance stability. In some circumstances such specialized designfeatures may impose limits on other aspects of performance.

SUMMARY

Various embodiments are disclosed herein that relate to recreationalself-propelled watercraft. For example, one disclosed embodimentprovides a self-propelled watercraft comprising a hull, a deckcomprising a first seat receiver configured to support a seat at ahigher position and a second seat receiver configured to support theseat at a lower position, and a seat securing mechanism configured to beoperable by a user to selectively secure the seat to the deck.

Another embodiment provides a self-propelled watercraft comprising ahull, a deck, a hatch opening formed in the deck, a hatch coverconfigured to cover the hatch opening, and a hatch locking mechanismcomprising a locking structure disposed on the hatch cover and acomplementary locking structure disposed on the deck.

Yet another embodiment provides a self-propelled watercraft comprising ahull, and a deck comprising a stern end having a sloped portion thatslopes downwardly toward the hull as the deck approaches the stern end,wherein the deck also comprises a groove extending along the slopedportion to the stern end, the groove being configured to accommodate adrag line.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore,the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solveany or all disadvantages noted in any part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a top view of an embodiment of a self-propelled watercraft.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a seat of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in a first, higherposition relative to a deck of the watercraft.

FIG. 4 shows the seat of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in a second, lowerposition relative to the deck.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a hatch locking mechanism.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of a hatch locking mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a top view of an embodiment of a self-propelled watercraft100 in the form of a sit-on-top kayak, and FIG. 2 shows a side view ofself-propelled watercraft 100. Self-propelled watercraft 100 comprises adeck 102 and a hull 104 that together define an enclosed body. The deck102 comprises a cockpit 106 configured to accommodate a user, and a seat108 positioned within the cockpit 106. As described in more detailbelow, the seat 108 is configured to be adjustable between at least ahigher position and a lower position relative to an underlying surfaceof the deck 102. This may allow a paddler to select a desired seatposition depending upon performance characteristics that are desired forcurrent paddling conditions. For example, a user may utilize the lowerposition when paddling in rougher waters and/or faster currents forgreater stability, and may utilize the higher position when fishing,paddling in calmer waters, or at other such times where a higher pointof view may be desired. The seat 108 also may be configured to beremovable, thereby allowing a user to use the seat 108 outside of thewatercraft 100.

FIG. 3 shows a view of the seat 108 in a higher position relative to anunderlying surface of the deck, and FIG. 4 shows the seat 108 at a lowerposition relative to an underlying surface of the deck. Referring toFIG. 3, the watercraft 100 comprises a first seat receiver configured tosupport the seat at the higher position, and a second seat receiverconfigured to support the seat at the lower position. As the depictedseat 108 is supported by a plurality of legs 300, the first receivercomprises a higher support surface 302 for each leg 300, and the secondreceiver comprises a lower support surface 304 for each leg 300. Eachsupport surface further comprises a front wall 306 and a back wall 308to prevent movement of the seat 108 fore and aft along the deck 102.However, it will be understood that any other suitable structures may beused to prevent such movement of the seat 108.

In the depicted embodiment, each support surface 302, 304 is molded intothe deck 102, but it will be understood that the support surfaces may beformed in any other suitable manner. For example, support surfaces maybe provided via structures that are fastened to the watercraft aftermolding. Further, while the depicted embodiment comprises two receiversto enable two different seat heights, it will be understood that aself-propelled watercraft may have any other suitable number ofreceivers to enable any other suitable number of different seat heights.Additionally, in some embodiments, a seat may be configured to have amechanically adjustable height, for example, via a telescopingmechanism, ratcheting mechanism, hydraulic mechanism, or any othersuitable mechanism.

FIGS. 3-4 also show an embodiment of a seat securing mechanismconfigured to be operable by a user to selectively secure the seat tothe deck 102. The depicted seat securing mechanism comprises a strap 312that is coupled to a rear portion of the seat, passes through one ormore loops 314 or other such structures coupled to the deck 102, andattaches to a front portion of the seat via an adjustable buckle 316.This allows the strap 312 to be tightened via the adjustable buckle 316to secure the seat 108 to the deck 102 in either the higher or lowerposition. It will be understood that the depicted securing mechanism 310is shown for the purpose of example, and is not intended to be limitingin any manner, as any other suitable structure may be used to secure theseat to the deck. For example, in other embodiments, individual securingstraps, mechanical snaps, etc. may be used for each leg of the seat.

As mentioned above, the seat 108 may be configured to be removable.Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the seat 108 may be removed by removing thestrap 312 from the adjustable buckle 316, and then removing the strapfrom the loops 314. In this manner, the seat may be used outside of thewatercraft 100, yet quickly and easily installed in the watercraft whendesired.

In some embodiments, a storage area may be formed in the deck 102beneath the seat 108 by molding or otherwise forming a depression in thedeck 102 to accommodate gear. Such a storage area may have a shape orother structural features for securing a specific item or items ofequipment. In the depicted embodiment, the deck 102 comprises a tacklebox storage area beneath the seat that is configured to accommodate andretain a tackle box, and to be accessible when the seat 108 is in ahigher or lower position. Referring to FIG. 3, a pair of tackle boxretaining structures 320 are shown beneath the seat 108—one illustratedwith a tackle box 322 and the other without. In this location, thetackle box 322 is stowed securely away when a user is paddling, yet iseasily accessible to the user while the user remains seated. Eachdepicted tackle box retaining structure 320 includes a depression havinga shape of an outline of a perimeter of a tackle box. However, it willbe understood that a tackle box retaining structure may have any othersuitable structure configured to accommodate and retain a tackle box,such as walls extending upwardly from the deck that define a tackle boxperimeter. It also will be understood that this specific example of anequipment-specific storage area is presented for the purpose of example,and is not intended to be limiting in any manner.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the self-propelled watercraft 100 alsoincludes a front hatch 110 and a rear hatch 112 each configured to holdcargo, such as gear, food, etc. As described in more detail below,either or both of the front hatch 110 and the rear hatch 112 may beconfigured to be lockable, thereby allowing a user to secure gear orother items stored in the hatches. While the depicted embodiment has afront hatch and a rear hatch, it will be understood that otherembodiments may have only one of a front hatch and a rear hatch, or mayhave more than two hatches.

Any suitable locking mechanism may be used for the hatches. For example,in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-2, the locking mechanisms for each hatchinclude two points of attachment for the hatch cover, wherein one of thepoints of attachment includes a locking structure disposed on the hatchcover and a complementary locking structure disposed on the deck.Referring to the rear hatch 112, the rear hatch cover 120 includes afirst point of attachment comprising a tongue 122 that fits beneath afirst bar 124 coupled to the deck 102. Further, as shown in more detailin FIG. 5, the rear hatch cover 120 includes a second point ofattachment comprising a lock receptacle 126 that covers and conforms toa shape of a second bar 128 coupled to the deck 102. The lock receptacle126 further comprises complementary holes 130 to allow a lock, such as apadlock, combination lock, etc. to be passed through the lock receptacle126 and under the second bar 128 to lock the rear hatch cover 120 to thedeck 102. FIG. 6 shows a hatch locking mechanism for the front hatchcover 134, wherein a bar 136 and complementary holes 138 have adifferent orientation to the centerline of the boat than those for therear hatch cover. It will be understood that the depicted lockingstructures are shown for the purpose of example and are not intended tobe limiting in any manner.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the self-propelled watercraft 100 furtherincludes one or more grooves 140 configured to accommodate a drag lineor anchor line (illustrated at 141 in FIG. 1) configured to slow orprevent movement of the self-propelled watercraft 100 through water. Theterm “drag line” is used herein to refer to any such structure,including but not limited to anchors lines, drag lines and drag chains.Such a drag line may be used, for example, when fishing to slowdownstream progress. Referring to FIG. 2, the deck 102 comprises a sternend 142 having a sloped portion 144 that slopes downwardly toward thehull 104 as the deck 102 approaches the stern end. Each groove 140extends along this sloped portion 144, thereby allowing the drag line141 to be lowered via gravity by a user sitting in the cockpit 106without the drag line falling to the side of the deck 102.

In some embodiments, a drag line retainer 146 may extend from the deckor hull over the groove to form a closed loop through which a drag linemay be extended. This may help to prevent the drag line from falling tothe side of the watercraft, as having a drag chain hang (or other dragline) from the side of the watercraft may negatively impactcontrollability while paddling or drifting at a reduced speed relativeto a river current. In the depicted embodiment, the drag line retainer146 takes the form of a grab loop that a user may hold to lift or pullthe watercraft 100. However, in other embodiments, the drag lineretainer 146 may take any other suitable form, may have any othersuitable location (e.g. along the deck between the cockpit and thestern, such as over each groove 140), or may be omitted. Further, otherstructures also may help to hold a drag line within a groove 140. Forexample, referring to FIG. 1, one or more hatch cover hold-down cords150 of the rear hatch may extend over grooves 140, and therefore mayhelp to hold a drag line in place.

The deck may include any suitable number of grooves for accommodatingdrag lines. For example, the depicted watercraft 100 comprises a firstgroove located closer to a first side of the deck than a second side ofthe deck, and also comprises a second groove located closer to a secondside of the deck than a first side of the deck. This allows a user tocontrol the drag line from either side of the cockpit. However, otherembodiments may have a single groove positioned in any suitablelocation, or more than two grooves.

It is to be understood that the specific embodiments of self-propelledwatercraft described herein are presented for the purpose of example,and that these specific embodiments or examples are not to be consideredin a limiting sense, because numerous variations are possible. Thesubject matter of the present disclosure includes all novel andnonobvious combinations and subcombinations of the various processes,systems and configurations, and other features, functions, acts, and/orproperties disclosed herein, as well as any and all equivalents thereof.

1. A self-propelled watercraft, comprising: a hull; a seat; a deck; afirst seat receiver disposed on the deck and configured to support theseat at a higher position relative to an underlying surface of the deck,the first seat receiver including a first, higher seat support surfacefor a leg of the seat and the first seat receiver being configured toprevent movement of the seat along the deck when the seat is in thehigher position, and a second seat receiver disposed on the deck andconfigured to support the seat at a lower position relative to the firstseat receiver, the second seat receiver including a second, lowersupport surface for the leg of the seat and the second seat receiverbeing configured to prevent movement of the seat fore and aft when theseat is in the lower position.
 2. The self-propelled watercraft of claim1, wherein the first seat receiver is molded into the deck of thewatercraft.
 3. The self-propelled watercraft of claim 1, wherein theseat is removable.
 4. The self-propelled watercraft of claim 1, whereinthe seat comprises a plurality of legs, and wherein the first seatreceiver and the second seat receiver each includes a support surfacefor each leg of the seat.
 5. The self-propelled watercraft of claim 1,further comprising a seat securing mechanism operable by a user toselectively secure the seat to the deck.
 6. The self-propelledwatercraft of claim 1, wherein the deck comprises a plurality of wallslocated beneath the seat and defining an outline of a perimeter of atackle box.
 7. The self-propelled watercraft of claim 5, wherein theseat securing mechanism comprises a strap releasably coupled between theseat and the deck.
 8. The self-propelled watercraft of claim 1, whereinthe deck comprises a lockable hatch.
 9. The self-propelled watercraft ofclaim 1, wherein the deck comprises a stern end having a sloped portionthat slopes downwardly toward the hull as the deck approaches the sternend, and wherein the deck also comprises a groove extending along thesloped portion to the stern end, the groove being configured toaccommodate a drag line.
 10. A self-propelled watercraft, comprising: ahull; a seat; a deck, comprising: a first seat receiver molded in thedeck, the first seat receiver being configured to support the seat at ahigher position relative to an underlying surface of the deck andprevent movement of the seat fore and aft when the seat is in the higherposition, and a second seat receiver molded in the deck, the second seatreceiver being configured to support the seat at a lower positionrelative to the underlying surface of the deck and prevent movement ofthe seat fore and aft when the seat is in the lower position; and a seatsecuring mechanism configured to be operable by a user to selectivelysecure the seat to the deck in the higher position and in the lowerposition.
 11. The self-propelled watercraft of claim 10, wherein thefirst seat receiver is located behind the second seat receiver along adirection from a bow to a stern of the self-propelled watercraft. 12.The self-propelled watercraft of claim 10, wherein the seat isremovable.
 13. The self-propelled watercraft of claim 10, wherein theseat comprises a plurality of legs, and wherein the first seat receiverand the second seat receiver together include a corresponding pluralityof support surfaces.
 14. The self-propelled watercraft of claim 10,wherein the deck comprises a plurality of walls located beneath the seatand defining an outline of a perimeter of a tackle box.
 15. Theself-propelled watercraft of claim 10, wherein the seat securingmechanism comprises a strap releasably coupled between the seat and thedeck.
 16. The self-propelled watercraft of claim 10, wherein the deckcomprises a lockable hatch.
 17. The self-propelled watercraft of claim10, wherein the deck comprises a stern end having a sloped portion thatslopes downwardly toward the hull as the deck approaches the stern end,and wherein the deck also comprises a groove extending along the slopedportion to the stern end, the groove being configured to accommodate adrag line.
 18. A self-propelled watercraft, comprising: a hull; a seat;and a deck comprising: a first seat receiver molded into the deck, thefirst seat receiver comprising a first, higher seat support surface fora leg of the seat and the first seat receiver being configured toprevent movement of the seat fore and aft when the seat is in a higherposition, and a second seat receiver molded into the deck, the secondseat receiver including a second, lower support surface for the leg ofthe seat and the first seat receiver being configured to preventmovement of the seat fore and aft when the seat is in a lower position.19. The self-propelled watercraft of claim 18, further comprising a seatsecuring mechanism operable to selectively secure the seat to the deck.20. The self-propelled watercraft of claim 18, wherein the seatcomprises a plurality of legs, and wherein the first seat receiver andthe second seat receiver together include a corresponding plurality ofsupport surfaces.